The Maid of Sker · Chapter
A Verdict on the Jury explained
Davy recounts the second inquest on the five young men, where the jury, after being plied with drink and unsettled by Evan Thomas's ominous prophecy that six of them have seen the white horse, returns a verdict of death by visitation of God
What happens
Davy recounts the second inquest on the five young men, where the jury, after being plied with drink and unsettled by Evan Thomas's ominous prophecy that six of them have seen the white horse, returns a verdict of death by visitation of God. The chapter ends with Davy frightening Hezekiah Perkins with a vision of funeral processions near Longlands.
Themes in this chapter
Superstition and Religion
The chapter is steeped in superstition, from Evan Thomas's prophecy of the white horse to Davy's staged funeral vision, contrasting with the jury's religious verdict.
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy's account of the inquest is colored by his own beliefs and tricks, raising questions about the reliability of his narration.
Morality and Hypocrisy
The jury's indulgence in drink and tobacco while deliberating a tragic death, and their quick verdict to appease Evan Thomas, highlights moral hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Serves as foreman of the first jury and remains present for the second inquest, comforting young Watkin and later playing a trick on Hezekiah Perkins.
- Evan Thomas
Appears suddenly before the jury, delivers a chilling prophecy that six of them have seen the white horse, and leaves them shuddering.
- Watkin Thomas
The young boy left to mind the bodies of the five young men; Davy consoles him and spares him from identifying the corpses.
- Hezekiah Perkins
A juror who initially scoffs at superstition but is later terrified by Davy's staged vision of funeral processions near Longlands.
- Simon Edwards
A juror who argues for a verdict of divine judgment for Sabbath-breaking, but is silenced by Evan Thomas's appearance.
- Crowner Bowles
The coroner presiding over the inquest, who becomes genial after refreshments and encourages the jury to drink.
Key passages
“I thought much less of those five great corpses than of the gentle and loving boy who had girt up his heart to conquer fear, and who tried to think evil of himself for the comforting of his brethren's souls.”
Davy was more moved by young Watkin's bravery and selflessness than by the dead bodies.
Highlights Davy's compassion for Watkin.
“Noble gentlemen, I am proud that my poor hospitality pleases you. Make the most of the time God gives; for six of you have seen the white horse.”
Evan Thomas sarcastically thanks the jury for enjoying his hospitality and warns them that six of them will die within the year.
Evan's prophecy is a key moment of supernatural tension.
“We got him to Newton with much ado; but as for going to Bridgend that night, he found that our church-clock must be seen to, the very first thing in the morning.”
They managed to get Hezekiah to Newton, but he was too frightened to continue to Bridgend that night, claiming he had to attend to the church clock early the next day.
Shows Hezekiah's superstitious fear after Davy's trick.